Absorbent Article Having Surface Visual Texture

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article comprising an apertured topsheet having a body-facing side and a garment-facing side, a backsheet, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a colored area viewable through a topsheet by a user viewing the body-facing side is provided. The absorbent article comprises a visual texture composed of less than about 65 objects per cm2 having an average mean areas greater than about 0.35 mm 2 .

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/393,863 filed Oct. 15, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to absorbent articles. More particularly,the present invention relates to a sanitary napkin having an improvedsurface visual texture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, tampons,absorbent interlabial devices, disposable diapers, incontinenceproducts, and bandages are designed to absorb and retain liquid andother discharges from the human body and to prevent body and clothingsoiling.

Through the use of innovative topsheet materials, secondary topsheetmaterials, absorbent gelling materials and breathable backsheets, thetechnology in absorbent articles, and particularly sanitary napkins, hasdrastically advanced to provide women with products that absorb mensesand other fluids away from a woman's body. However, much of thistechnology is often hidden and therefore not viewable by a user. Evenwhen viewable, absorbent components often do not readily or visuallycommunicate to a user the existence of this enhanced technology.

Many different materials are used for the top surfaces of absorbentarticles, such as nonwovens and apertured films. A typical topsheet madeof apertured polyethylene film has been successfully used in sanitaryarticles and adult incontinence products. Such topsheets can typicallyhave a three dimensional texture that can be defined using techniquessuch as profilometry to measure the relative elevation of any point onthe surface.

One problem with such topsheets, however, is that the total amount ofliquid capable of passing through the topsheet under usual usageconditions depends on the amount of open area of the apertures, which inturn depends upon the number, size, and shape of the individualapertures. Exceptionally large apertures increase the liquid passagerate but pose the problem of poor masking because liquids such as mensesremain visible to the wearer through the apertures, which is consideredundesirable. In addition, large apertures promote a backflow of absorbedliquid, so called rewet, which is also undesirable. Small individualapertures, on the other hand, cannot provide the liquid passagecharacteristics required to let liquids of high viscosity and/or solidscontent to pass through, resulting in too low a rate of liquid flow.

Certain absorbent articles can include a color signal that is visiblefrom the top, or body-facing, side of the absorbent article. Generally,the signal is viewed differently through the apertured areas of thetopsheet versus the non-apertured areas; however, the use of colorcombined with aperture parameters visible from the top surface of asanitary napkin that creates an improved visual texture of the surfacehas not previously been described. As such, there remains a need forabsorbent articles having an improved visual texture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An absorbent article comprising an apertured topsheet having abody-facing side and a garment-facing side, a backsheet, an absorbentcore positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a coloredarea viewable through a topsheet by a user viewing the body-facing sideis provided. The absorbent article comprises a visual texture composedof less than about 65 objects per cm² having an average mean areasgreater than about 0.35 mm²

Also provided is an absorbent article comprising an apertured topsheethaving a body-facing side and a garment-facing side, a backsheet, anabsorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and acolored area viewable through a topsheet by a user viewing thebody-facing side. The absorbent article comprises a visual texturecomposed of less than less than about 55 objects per cm² of mean areadimension greater than about 0.35 mm²

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of an absorbent article of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a 26× magnified image of the top surface of the absorbentarticle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a grayscale image of a portion of the top surface of theabsorbent article of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a thresholded image of the grayscale image of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a photograph of an absorbent article;

FIG. 6 is a 26× magnified image of the top surface of the absorbentarticle of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a grayscale image of a portion of the top surface of theabsorbent article of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a thresholded image of the grayscale image of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a photograph of an absorbent article;

FIG. 10 is a 26× magnified image of the top surface of the absorbentarticle of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a grayscale image of a portion of the top surface of theabsorbent article of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a thresholded image of the grayscale image of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a photograph of an absorbent article;

FIG. 14 is a 26× magnified image of the top surface of the absorbentarticle of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a grayscale image of a portion of the top surface of theabsorbent article of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a thresholded image of the grayscale image of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a photograph of an absorbent article;

FIG. 18 is a 26× magnified image of the top surface of the absorbentarticle of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a grayscale image of a portion of the top surface of theabsorbent article of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a thresholded image of the grayscale image of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a photograph of an absorbent article;

FIG. 22 is a 26× magnified image of the top surface of the absorbentarticle of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a grayscale image of a portion of the top surface of theabsorbent article of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a thresholded image of the grayscale image of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a photograph of an absorbent article;

FIG. 26 is a 26× magnified image of the top surface of the absorbentarticle of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a grayscale image of a portion of the top surface of theabsorbent article of FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a thresholded image of the grayscale image of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a photograph of an absorbent article;

FIG. 30 is a 26× magnified image of the top surface of the absorbentarticle of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a grayscale image of a portion of the top surface of theabsorbent article of FIG. 29;

FIG. 32 is a thresholded image of the grayscale image of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a photograph of an absorbent article;

FIG. 34 is a 26× magnified image of the top surface of the absorbentarticle of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a grayscale image of a portion of the top surface of theabsorbent article of FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a thresholded image of the grayscale image of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a photograph of an absorbent article;

FIG. 38 is a grayscale image of another example of the invention.

FIG. 39 is a thresholded image of the grayscale image of FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a magnified image of the topsheet of FIG. 37;

FIG. 41 is a magnified image of the topsheet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 42 is a magnified image of the topsheet of FIG. 5;

FIG. 43 is a magnified image of the topsheet of FIG. 37;

FIG. 44 is a magnified image of the topsheet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 45 is a magnified image of the topsheet of FIG. 5;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of an absorbent article;

FIG. 47 is an enlarged partially segmented, perspective illustration ofa resilient, three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluidpervious, plastic web; and

FIG. 48 is field of view as described in Example 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent articles having an improved visual texture are provided. Suchimproved absorbent articles can have fast liquid intake whilemaintaining the visual texture desirable for superior absorbent article.In certain embodiments, sanitary napkins having an improved surfacetexture that provides the benefits of large apertures in the topsheetwhile eliminating the problems associated with having large apertures ondryness during wear, are provided.

Generally, the visual texture of the absorbent article can depend uponboth the patterns and designs of the colors used in the absorbentarticle and the patterns and designs formed in the top surfacematerials, including, for example, aperture size, aperture open area,sidewall height, sidewall collapse, sidewall opacity, land area, landopacity, microtexture on the land area and or apertured sidewalls,location and density of color on the various layers of the article, andamount of color visible through the apertures and other portions of thetopsheet. The combination of these features can create a complex visualtexture that is apparent upon viewing the surface of the napkin As such,the visual texture can provide an integrated measure of the structuralattributes of the top surface apertures and land areas, underlyingabsorbent characteristics, and the distance between the top surface andsecondary layer that are visible upon viewing the top surface of thearticle.

In one embodiment, for macroscopically expanded film top surfaces, thevisual texture depends upon the size of the aperture on the topsidesurface, the underside surface, and the side wall shapes. As a result,for some film formations, the top surface aperture size can besignificantly greater than the amount of the absorbent core visibleunderneath the aperture.

The visual texture of an absorbent article also incorporates the effectsof manufacturing on the article. For example, when apertured films areadhered to underlying absorbent materials by standard techniques, e.g.,gluing or embossing, the aperture side walls may collapse and therebychange the apparent open diameter of the aperture. The amount ofcollapse may be different for different combining processing conditions.

Thus, the topsheet structure created results from multiple factors ofmaterial composition, color, opacity, conformation, and manufacturingprocess. Visual texture is a measure that integrates these factors todefine a structure that provides the product performance featuresdesired by consumers.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, an absorbent article with a viewingsurface comprising an apertured topsheet and colored areas visiblethrough the viewing surface of the topsheet providing a visual textureof less than about 65 objects per cm² having an average mean areagreater than about 0.35 mm² is provided. In certain embodiments, anabsorbent article with a viewing surface comprising an aperturedtopsheet and colored areas visible through the viewing surface of thetopsheet providing a visual texture of less than about 50 objects percm² of mean area dimension greater than about 0.35 mm² is provided. Suchimproved visual texture can engender in a user the recognition of betterprotection and enhanced functioning.

“Absorbent articles” as referred to herein are primarily sanitarynapkins, pantiliners, or incontinence pads that are worn in the crotchregion of an undergarment. It is even conceivable that baby diapers,adult incontinence diapers, and human waste management devices benefitfrom the present invention even though they are conventionally not wornin conjunction with an undergarment.

The term ‘color’ as referred to herein include any non-white color,i.e., black, red, blue, violet, orange, yellow, green, and indigo aswell as any declination thereof or mixture thereof. The term ‘non-color’or ‘non-colored’ refers to the color white which is further defined asthose colors having an L* value of at least 90, an a* value equal to0±2, and a b* value equal to 0±2.

The term ‘disposable’ is used herein to describe absorbent articles thatare not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused asabsorbent articles (i.e., they are intended to be discarded after asingle use and, preferably to be recycled, composted or otherwisedisposed of in an environmentally compatible manner).

The invention can be used in a variety of disposable absorbent articles,but is particularly useful in feminine hygiene products such as sanitarynapkins and pantiliners.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of an absorbent article 10 of the invention. Theabsorbent article 10 herein has an upper surface, a lower surface and aperiphery 12 comprising a topsheet 25 having a bottom surface and aviewing surface positioned opposite to the bottom surface. The absorbentarticle comprises a topsheet 25, and an absorbent core 20. The absorbentcore 20 has a top surface 21 and a bottom surface that is positionedopposite to the top surface. The absorbent core 20 is positioned betweenthe topsheet 25 and a backsheet. The absorbent core 20 further comprisesa colored portion 40 and a white portion 50. The colored portion 40comprises of a first color 42 and a second color 44. Consumers desirethe central region to be highly absorbent and manufacturers of theseproducts have learned that by locating darker colors for these regions,the performance of the product is highlighted.

FIG. 2 is a magnified image of the main central fluid acquisition zoneof the absorbent article. The web 11 is comprised of a continuum offiber-like elements. The apertures 45 are formed by a multiplicity ofintersecting fiber-like elements, 46, 47, 48, 49 interconnected to oneanother in the first surface of the web. The intersecting fiber-likeelements add texture to the surface of the web.

FIG. 3 is a grayscale image of a portion of FIG. 1. The image isconverted to a gray scale for the purposes of analysis.

FIG. 4 is a threshold image of FIG. 3. The image is converted for thepurpose of analysis.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of an absorbent article 110. The absorbentarticle 110 herein has an upper surface, a lower surface and a periphery112 comprising a topsheet 125 having a bottom surface and a viewingsurface positioned opposite to the bottom surface. The absorbent articlefurther comprises a topsheet 125, and an absorbent core 120. Theabsorbent core 120 has a top surface 121 and a bottom surface that ispositioned opposite to the top surface. The absorbent core 120 ispositioned between the topsheet 125 and a backsheet. The absorbent core120 further comprises a colored portion 140 and a white portion 150. Thecolored portion 140 comprises of a first color 142 and a second color144.

FIG. 6 is a magnified image of the main central fluid acquisition zoneof the absorbent article. The web 111 contains multiple apertures 145.

FIG. 7 is a grayscale image of a portion of FIG. 5. The image isconverted to a gray scale for the purposes of analysis.

FIG. 8 is a threshold image of FIG. 7. The image is converted for thepurpose of analysis.

FIG. 9 is a photograph of an absorbent article 210. The absorbentarticle 210 herein has an upper surface, a lower surface and a periphery212 comprising a topsheet 225 having a bottom surface and a viewingsurface positioned opposite to the bottom surface. The absorbent articlecomprises a topsheet 225, and an absorbent core 220. The absorbent core220 is positioned between the topsheet 225 and a backsheet. Theabsorbent core 220 further comprises a colored portion 240 and a whiteportion 250. The colored portion 240 comprises of a first color 242 anda second color 244.

FIG. 10 is a magnified image of the main central fluid acquisition zoneof the absorbent article. The web 211 contains multiple apertures 245.

FIG. 11 is a grayscale image of a portion of FIG. 9. The image isconverted to a gray scale for the purposes of analysis.

FIG. 12 is a threshold image of FIG. 11. The image is converted for thepurpose of analysis.

FIG. 13 is a photograph of an absorbent article 310. The absorbentarticle 310 herein has an upper surface, a lower surface and a periphery312 comprising a topsheet 325 having a bottom surface and a viewingsurface positioned opposite to the bottom surface. The absorbent articlecomprises a topsheet 325, and an absorbent core 320. The absorbent core320 is positioned between the topsheet 325 and a backsheet. Theabsorbent core 320 further comprises a colored portion 340 and a whiteportion 350. The colored portion 340 comprises of a first color 342.

FIG. 14 is a magnified image of the main central fluid acquisition zoneof the absorbent article. The web 311 contains multiple apertures 345.

FIG. 15 is a grayscale image of a portion of FIG. 13. The image isconverted to a gray scale for the purposes of analysis.

FIG. 16 is a threshold image of FIG. 15. The image is converted for thepurpose of analysis.

FIG. 17 is a photograph of an absorbent article 410. The absorbentarticle 410 herein has an upper surface, a lower surface and a periphery412 comprising a topsheet 425 having a bottom surface and a viewingsurface positioned opposite to the bottom surface. The absorbent articlecomprises a topsheet 425, and an absorbent core 420. The absorbent core420 is positioned between the topsheet 425 and a backsheet. Theabsorbent core 420 further comprises a colored portion 440 and a whiteportion 450. The colored portion 440 comprises of a first color 442 anda second color 444.

FIG. 18 is a magnified image of the main central fluid acquisition zoneof the absorbent article. The web 411 contains multiple apertures 445.

FIG. 19 is a grayscale image of a portion of FIG. 17. The image isconverted to a gray scale for the purposes of analysis.

FIG. 20 is a threshold image of FIG. 19. The image is converted for thepurpose of analysis.

FIG. 21 is a photograph of an absorbent article 510. The absorbentarticle 510 herein has an upper surface, a lower surface and a periphery512 comprising a topsheet 525 having a bottom surface and a viewingsurface positioned opposite to the bottom surface. The absorbent articlecomprises a topsheet 525, and an absorbent core 520. The absorbent core520 is positioned between the topsheet 525 and a backsheet. Theabsorbent core 520 further comprises a colored portion 540 and a whiteportion 550. The colored portion 540 comprises of a first color 542.

FIG. 22 is a magnified image of the main central fluid acquisition zoneof the absorbent article. The web 511 contains multiple apertures 545.

FIG. 23 is a grayscale image of a portion of FIG. 21. The image isconverted to a gray scale for the purposes of analysis.

FIG. 24 is a threshold image of FIG. 23. The image is converted for thepurpose of analysis.

FIG. 25 is a photograph of an absorbent article 610. The absorbentarticle 610 herein has an upper surface, a lower surface and a periphery612 comprising a topsheet 625 having a bottom surface and a viewingsurface positioned opposite to the bottom surface. The absorbent articlecomprises a topsheet 625, and an absorbent core 620. The absorbent core620 is positioned between the topsheet 625 and a backsheet. Theabsorbent core 620 further comprises a colored portion 640 and a whiteportion 650. The colored portion 640 comprises of a first color 642.

FIG. 26 is a magnified image of the main central fluid acquisition zoneof the absorbent article. The web 611 contains multiple apertures 645.

FIG. 27 is a grayscale image of a portion of FIG. 25. The image isconverted to a gray scale for the purposes of analysis.

FIG. 28 is a threshold image of FIG. 27. The image is converted for thepurpose of analysis.

FIG. 29 is a photograph of an absorbent article 710. The absorbentarticle 710 herein has an upper surface, a lower surface and a periphery712 comprising a topsheet 725 having a bottom surface and a viewingsurface positioned opposite to the bottom surface. The absorbent articlecomprises a topsheet 725, and an absorbent core 720. The absorbent core720 is positioned between the topsheet 725 and a backsheet. Theabsorbent core 720 further comprises a colored portion 740 and a whiteportion 750. The colored portion 740 comprises of a first color 742.

FIG. 30 is a magnified image of the main central fluid acquisition zoneof the absorbent article. The web 711 contains multiple apertures 745.

FIG. 31 is a grayscale image of a portion of FIG. 29. The image isconverted to a gray scale for the purposes of analysis.

FIG. 32 is a threshold image of FIG. 31. The image is converted for thepurpose of analysis.

FIG. 33 is a photograph of an absorbent article 810. The absorbentarticle 810 herein has an upper surface, a lower surface and a periphery812 comprising a topsheet 825 having a bottom surface and a viewingsurface positioned opposite to the bottom surface. The absorbent articlecomprises a topsheet 825, and an absorbent core 820. The absorbent core820 is positioned between the topsheet 825 and a backsheet. Theabsorbent core 820 further comprises a colored portion 840 and a whiteportion 850. The colored portion 840 comprises of a first color 842.

FIG. 34 is a magnified image of the main central fluid acquisition zoneof the absorbent article. The web 811 contains multiple apertures 845.

FIG. 35 is a grayscale image of a portion of FIG. 33. The image isconverted to a gray scale for the purposes of analysis.

FIG. 36 is a threshold image of FIG. 35. The image is converted for thepurpose of analysis.

FIG. 37 is a photograph of an absorbent article 910. The absorbentarticle 910 herein has an upper surface, a lower surface and a periphery912 comprising a topsheet 925 having a bottom surface and a viewingsurface positioned opposite to the bottom surface. The absorbent articlecomprises a topsheet 925, and an absorbent core 920. The absorbent core920 is positioned between the topsheet 925 and a backsheet. Theabsorbent core 920 further comprises a colored portion 940 and a whiteportion 950. The colored portion 940 comprises of a first color 942 anda second color 944.

FIG. 38 is a grayscale image of a portion of FIG. 37. The image isconverted to a gray scale for the purposes of analysis.

FIG. 39 is a threshold image of FIG. 38. The image is converted for thepurpose of analysis.

One embodiment of a disposable absorbent article that uses the inventionis the sanitary napkin 10 shown in FIG. 46. FIG. 46 provides aperspective view of the absorbent article 10. The absorbent article 10herein has an upper surface, a lower surface and a periphery 12comprising a topsheet 25 having a bottom surface and a viewing surface28 positioned opposite to the bottom surface. The viewing surface 28faces upwardly towards the upper surface of the absorbent article 10.The absorbent article 10 further comprises a backsheet having a garmentfacing surface and a user facing surface positioned oppositely to thegarment facing surface, the backsheet being joined to the topsheet 25.

The absorbent article 10 also comprises an absorbent core 20 having atop surface 21 and a bottom surface that is positioned opposite to thetop surface 21. The absorbent core 20 is positioned between the topsheet25 and the backsheet 15 and can have a perimeter 23. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 46, the absorbent article 10 has a colored portion 40 anda white portion 50. The colored portion 40 and the white portion 50 areviewable from the viewing surface 28 of the topsheet 25. In certainembodiments, the colored portion 40 can include two colors, a firstcolor 42 and a second color 44. In some embodiments, the colored portioncan include multiple colors.

The topsheet 24, the backsheet, and the absorbent core 20 can beassembled in a variety of well-known configurations, including, forexample, configurations described generally in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,321,924;4,324,246; 4,342,314; 4,425,130; 4,463,045; 4,556,146; 4,589,876;4,687,478; 4,950,264; 5,009,653; 5,267,992; 6,004,893; and Re. 32,649.

The backsheet and the topsheet can be secured together in a variety ofways. Adhesives manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn.under the designation HL-1258 or H-2031 have been found to besatisfactory. Alternatively, the topsheet and the backsheet can bejoined to each other by heat bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonicbonding, dynamic mechanical bonding, or a crimp seal. A fluidimpermeable crimp seal can resist lateral migration (“wicking”) of fluidthrough the edges of the product, inhibiting side soiling of thewearer's undergarments.

As is typical for sanitary napkins and the like, the sanitary napkin canhave panty-fastening adhesive disposed on the garment-facing side ofbacksheet. The panty-fastening adhesive can be any of known adhesivesused in the art for this purpose, and can be covered prior to use by arelease paper, as is well known in the art. If flaps or wings arepresent, panty fastening adhesive can be applied to the garment facingside so as to contact and adhere to the underside of the wearer'spanties.

The Topsheet

To provide for softness next to the body, the topsheet can be formedfrom a soft, flexible, porous material that is non-irritating to theuser's skin The topsheet must be permeable to the body fluids to becollected by the article and thus, for a sanitary napkin, must bepermeable to vaginal discharges.

Generally, topsheets for absorbent articles can be made from one or moreof a wide range of materials such as woven and nonwoven materials;polymeric materials such as apertured formed thermoplastic films,apertured plastic films, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porousfoams; reticulated foams; reticulated thermoplastic films; andthermoplastic scrims. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials can becomprised of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), syntheticfibers (e.g., polymeric fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, orpolyethylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and syntheticfibers.

In certain embodiments, the topsheet can be a formed film topsheet.Suitable formed film topsheets are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,929,135; 4,324,246; 4,342,314; 4,463,045; and 5,006,394. Othersuitable topsheets are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,609,518; 4,629,643;7,172,801; 7,270,861; 7,410,683; 7,507,459; 7,521,588; 7,553,532;7,648,752; 7,670,665; 7,682,686; 7,718,243; and U.S. Patent Appln. Nos.2004/0119208; 2005/0281976; 2005/0283129; 2008/0119807; 2009/0030390;2009/0030391.

In certain embodiments, the absorbent article can include a suitabletopsheet as shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 47 is an enlarged partially segmented, perspective illustration ofa resilient, three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluidpervious, plastic web 10 that has been found suitable for use as atopsheet on disposable absorbent articles, such as the sanitary napkin10 illustrated in FIG. 46. As utilized herein, the term “macroscopicallyexpanded”, when used to describe three-dimensional plastic webs, ribbonsand films, refers to webs, ribbons and films which have been caused toconform to the surface of a three-dimensional forming structure so thatboth surfaces thereof exhibit the three-dimensional pattern of saidforming structure, said pattern being readily visible to the naked eyewhen the perpendicular distance between the viewer's eye and the planeof the web is about 12 inches.

In certain embodiments, the web 10 is comprised of a continuum offiber-like elements, the opposed ends of each of the fiber-like elementsare interconnected to at least one another of the fiber-like elements togive the web 10 a fiber-like appearance. Apertures 45 are formed by amultiplicity of intersecting fiber-like elements, e.g., elements 46, 47,48, 49, and 50, interconnected to one another in the first surface ofthe web. Each fiber-like element comprises a base portion, e.g., baseportion 54, located in plane 42. Each base portion has a sidewallportion, e.g., sidewall portions 55, attached to each edge thereof. Thesidewall portions 55 extend generally in the direction of the secondsurface 43 of the web. The intersecting sidewall portions of thefiber-like elements are interconnected to one another intermediate thefirst and second surfaces of the web and terminate substantiallyconcurrently with one another in the plane 44 of the second surface.

In certain embodiments, the interconnected sidewall portions terminatesubstantially concurrently with one another in the plane of the secondsurface 44 to form apertures 39 in the second surface 43 of the web. Thecapillaries 40 formed by the interconnected sidewall portions allow forfree transfer of fluids from the first surface 41 of the web directly tothe second surface 43 of the web without lateral transmission of thefluid between adjacent capillary networks.

In certain embodiments, the topsheet is apertured. The apertures can beany suitable shape or size, including, for example, circular,pentagonal, hexagonal, oval, hourglass, or teardrop, and range indiameter from under 0.1 mm to over 2 mm

The Absorbent Core

The absorbent core of an absorbent article serves to store bodily fluidsdischarged during use. The core can be manufactured in a wide variety ofsizes and shapes, and may be profiled to have different thickness,hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbent gradients, densities, or averagebasis weights at different positions across the face of the product.

An absorbent core may have a fluid distribution layer as well as a fluidstorage layer. The fluid distribution layer transfers received fluidboth downwardly and laterally, and generally has more permeability andless capillarity than the fluid storage layer.

In addition to conventional absorbent materials such as creped cellulosewadding, fluffed cellulose fibers, wood pulp fibers also known asairfelt, and textile fibers, the fluid storage layer often includessuperabsorbent material that imbibe fluids and form hydrogels. Thesematerials are typically capable of absorbing large quantities of bodyfluids and retaining them under moderate pressures. The fluid storagelayer of the absorbent core can be made solely of superabsorbentmaterial, or can include such materials dispersed in a suitable carriersuch as cellulose fibers in the form of fluff or stiffened fibers.Synthetic fibers including cellulose acetate, polyvinyl fluoride,polyvinylidene chloride, acrylics (such as Orlon), polyvinyl acetate,non-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides(such as nylon), polyesters, bicomponent fibers, tricomponent fibers,mixtures thereof and the like can also be used. The fluid storage layercan also include filler materials, such as Perlite, diatomaceous earth,Vermiculite, or other suitable materials, that lower rewet problems.

The Backsheet

The backsheet that covers the lower side of the absorbent core preventsthe fluids in the absorbent core from wetting articles that contact thesanitary napkin, such as pants, pajamas and undergarments. Accordingly,the backsheet can be made from a liquid impervious thin film or a liquidimpervious but vapor pervious film/nonwoven laminate, a microporousfilm, an apertured formed film, or other polymer film that is vaporpermeable, or rendered to be vapor permeable, but substantiallyimpervious to fluid.

Optional Secondary Topsheet

In certain embodiments, the absorbent article can include a secondarytopsheet that can be interposed between the absorbent core and thetopsheet, and serves to rapidly draw discharged body fluids, inparticular menstrual fluids, through the adjacent permeable (primary)topsheet. This allows the surface of the primary topsheet adjacent thewearer of the article pad to remain relatively clean and dry.

Colored Portion

The absorbent article includes a colored portion that can be positionedon any suitable surface of the absorbent article, as long as the surfaceis visible on and/or through areas of the topsheet. In certainembodiments, the colored portion may be provided on a secondary topsheetor on an insert positioned between the topsheet and the absorbent core.In another embodiment, the colored portion forms a part of the topsheet,such as for example, a part of the bottom of the topsheet. In yetanother embodiment herein, the colored portion forms a part of theabsorbent core whereby the colored portion is viewable from the viewingsurface of the topsheet. Alternatively, the colored portion may be amulti-layered insert positioned beneath the topsheet.

In certain embodiments, the colored portion can be printed on a surfacevisible from the body-facing surface of sanitary napkin, including, forexample, on a surface below the topsheet as long as it is visible to theuser during placement and positioning of the article in theundergarment. Therefore, the colored portion can be ink or dye printed,coated, sprayed, or otherwise disposed on, secondary topsheets, surgelayers, acquisition layers, absorbent cores, and the like. The coloredportion can be configured as lines, line segments, curved lines, bands,arrows, words, pictures, or any other printed indicia.

In certain embodiments, the colored portion can be made by printing,such as, for example, by known processes, such as gravure printing,offset printing, inkjet printing, and combinations thereof.Alternatively, the colored portion can be made by dyeing, pigmenting, orany other suitable coloration techniques. In certain embodiments, thecolored portion can be made by melt-adding a colorant during extrusion.

The colored portion can comprise a single colored area or a plurality ofcolored areas. A plurality of colored areas can be disposed asoverlapping areas of color to define a color gradation or change inintensity by virtue of the overlapping nature of the areas. Colored orshaded areas can be any shape, including shapes, such as flower petals,sun rays, ocean waves, and the like. The colors of colored or shadedareas can be uniform, or they can be varying shades or hues of onecolor, or they can be different colors.

Visual Texture

The absorbent article has a viewing surface comprising an aperturedtopsheet and colored areas visible through the viewing surface of thetopsheet providing an improved visual texture. In certain embodiments,the visual texture has less than about 65 objects per cm², for example,such as, about 50 objects per cm². In addition, the visual texture canhave an average mean area greater than about 0.35mm², such as, forexample, an average mean area greater than about 0.4 mm². In certainembodiments, the objects can have a mean area dimension greater thanabout 0.35 mm², such as, for example, greater than about 0.375 mm², suchas, for example, greater than about 0.42 mm² Such improved visualtexture can engender in a user the recognition of better protection andenhanced functioning.

Without being bound by any theory, the visual texture of the absorbentarticle can depend upon a complex set of factors, including, forexample, aperture size, aperture open area, sidewall height, sidewallcollapse, sidewall opacity, land area, land opacity, microtexture on theland area and or apertured sidewalls, location and density of color onthe various layers of the article, and amount of color visible throughthe apertures. The combination of these features can create a visualtexture that is apparent upon viewing the surface of the napkin.

Visual texture of the top surface of an absorbent article is measured asfollows.

Digital images of the article are captured and quantitatively analyzedto measure product top surface visual texture in the largest coloredarea in the main central fluid absorbent acquisition zone of theabsorbent article.

The imaging system includes a light-tight imaging booth equipped withtop-mounted, diffused lighting, simulating CIE D65 standard daylight,and a top-mounted digital RGB color camera with lens system, capable ofproviding images of the article at a spatial resolution of 40micrometers per pixel, or fewer than 40 um per pixel. The camera bodyand light sources are oriented so that they are directly above and on asurface or plane parallel to the article being imaged, such thatshadowing effects and variations in illumination intensity are bothminimized in the captured image. An example of a suitable light boothsystem is the DigiEye Imaging System (VeriVide Ltd., Leicester, UK),with a Nikon D3 camera and 105 mm Nikkor Lens, yielding 4256×2832 pixel,8 Bit, RGB images.

The imaging system is white balanced prior to use using a spectralstandard Grey Card (21.6 cm×27.9 cm X-Rite Color Checker White BalanceCard). A standard reference chart of various grey levels and colors isused to further calibrate the system for grey level intensity andcontrast, and may also be use to calibrate color balance (X-Rite GretagMacbeth Mini Color Checker Chart, 7.6 cm×12.7 cm). All image capturesettings used in the system, including illumination intensity, cameraexposure time, contrast gamma, etc., when used together in combinationare set such that the 3 lightest grey level areas on the Color CheckerChart Standard are clearly distinguishable from each other in capturedimages of the chart. Image capture settings are set such that any coloror intensity details observable in the article under the naked eye areequally or more observable in the captured images. Spatial calibrationof the system to determine the number of micrometers per pixel incaptured images is achieved by imaging a certified linear referencescale or rule (American National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST)).

The intact, unused article to be measured is spread out flat inside theimaging system, with its body-facing side/absorptive side, upwardstoward the camera. The article in secured in place to maintain thearticle's surface flat and level relative to the camera lens.

After all calibrations are complete, the imaging system is used tocapture images of the article in the largest colored or printed area inmain central fluid absorbent acquisition zone of test articles.Typically this zone will lie near the center of the article, along thecenter line of the article's longest axis. An image of each article iscaptured such that 6 square cm of this area(s) is imaged on eacharticle. If less than 6 square cm of colored or printed areas arepresent in the article's loading zone, then an image covering at least 1square cm of these areas should be captured.

Three to five replicate articles of any specific type are imaged andanalyzed.

Captured RGB images are converted to grayscale prior to furtherprocessing and analysis. One or more regions of interest (ROI) areselected within each image, so that as much of the image as possible iswithin ROI(s), and so that each ROI is as large as possible, whileexcluding areas of the image that were not within a colored or printedzone on the article.

Each Region(s) of Interest (ROI) is thresholded and binarized, thusdesignating each pixel into one of two classes (termed Background andForeground). Thresholding should be achieved using Otsu's GrayThresholding Method, which is a widely used method of automaticthresholding to binarize grayscale images. Otsu's method is areiterative computation which independently determines the thresholdvalue for each image that minimizes the weighted within-class variancesfor two classes. Many image analysis software packages can be used toperform Otsu's Thresholding, including Image J, Matlab, Image Pro Plusand others. The mathematic algorithm can be found athttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otsu's_method or in Nobuyuki Otsu (1979).“A threshold selection method from gray-level histograms”. IEEE Trans.Sys., Man., Cyber. 9: 62-66.

The binary images are then analyzed to identify objects using ConnectedComponent Labeling Analysis. Connected Component Labeling groups pixelsinto components/objects/blobs based on pixel connectivity, i.e. allpixels in a connected component share similar pixel intensity values andare in some way connected with each other.

Some of the objects found may be spatially located in contact with theedges of the image ROI, and therefore are likely partially cropped bythe edge of the ROI. Such objects are to be excluded from subsequentobject measurements. Measurements are then made on the number and areaof objects in each ROI, from each article. These measurements include:

-   -   The total number of objects found, expressed on a per area basis        within the ROI(s) (e.g., 20 objects per square cm).    -   The mean area for the objects in each ROI.    -   The percentage of the total ROI area that is classified as being        objects (e.g., 20%).

EXAMPLE 1 Measure of Visual Texture

Example 1 shows the visual texture of the following sanitary napkinproducts:

TABLE 1 Products tested Product Name Date of Purchase Country FIGURE 1Inventive Sample 1 1 2 Always Ultrathin 2010 Russia 5 with DriWeave 3Always Ultrathin 2010 U.S.A. 9 with DriWeave 4 StayFree DryMax 2009U.S.A. 13 Ultrathin 5 U by Kotex Regular 2010 U.S.A. 17 6 Kotex Supreme2007 Colombia 21 7 Nosotras Invisible 2008 Colombia 25 8 ABC withSupsoft 2006 China 29 Topsheet 9 Femline Maxi Long 2009 Canada 33 10Inventive Sample 2 37

Each product was tested as set forth in the visual texture method above.For samples 1-6 and 9-10, five duplicate samples were tested. Forsamples 7 and 8, three duplicate samples were tested.

The data were collected from ROIs which were 400×1,000 pixels in size ata resolutions of 39 microns per pixel, covering 15.6 mm×39 mm of thetopsheet in each image, (which is 608.4 square mm or 6.084 square cm).

TABLE 2 Visual texture measurement of Products 1-10 Average Number ofAverage Mean % Total Object Sample Objects per cm² Area (mm²) Area inROI Inventive 36 0.61 22% Topsheet Sample I0 Ultrathin Fusion Bonded IInventive 47 0.42 20% Topsheet Sample I0 Ultrathin Fusion Bonded IIInventive 42 0.53 22% Topsheet Sample I0 Ultrathin Glued Inventive 490.56 27% Topsheet Sample I Ultrathin Fusion Bonded II Always DriWeave 960.32 30% Ultrathin Sample 2 Fusion Bonded Always Soft 263 0.08 22%Driweave Ultrathin Sample 3 Glued ABC with Supsoft 96 0.29 28% TopsheetSample 8 Femline Maxi 85 0.23 20% Long Sample 9 Kotex Supreme 89 0.2018% Sample 6 Nosotras Invisible 149 0.14 21% Sample 7 StayFree DryMax 700.23 16% Ultrathin Sample 4 U by Kotex 284 0.10 28% Regular Sample 5

As shown in Table 2, the inventive samples have a visual texture of lessthan about 65 objects per cm², such as, for example, less than about 60objects per cm², such as, for example, less than about 55 objects percm², such as, for example, less than about 50 objects per cm², theobjects having an average mean area greater than about 0.35 mm², suchas, for example, greater than about 0.40 mm² In certain embodiments, theobjects can have an average mean area greater than about 0.45 mm²,greater than about 0.50 mm², greater than about 0.55 mm², or greaterthan about 0.60 mm².

EXAMPLE 2 Sample Parameters

Aperture, microtexture, thickness, open area, land area, porosity,titanium dioxide level, and land area width for samples 1, 2, 3, and 10were determined as set forth in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Sample Parameters Parameter/Topsheet Sample 10 Sample 1 Sample 2Sample 3 Macro Aperture Dimensions Height 0.8-1.1 mm 0.6 mm 0.65 mm 1.40mm Maximum diameter in top 1.6 mm-1.9 mm 1.2 mm-1.4 mm 0.8-0.9 mm Hardto define surface Spacing (Center-to-Center) 2.2 mm 1.8 mm 1.0 mm 2.1 mm#/sq in  160    225    625  150 Microtexture Dimensions Height 0.060 mm0.060 mm 0.020-0.025 mm 0.100-0.150 mm Aspect ratio   0.6   0.6 0.3-0.41.1-2 (height/diameter) Spacing (Center-to-Center) 0.20 mm 0.20 mm 0.12mm 0.25 mm #/sq in 16000   16000   46000 10000 Film Thickness (gauge)0.9 mil 0.9 mil 1.0 mil 1.05 mil Open Area  3% 20% 24% Not DeterminedLand Area 37% 34% 31% Not Determined Porosity (ASTM 737-96) 100-220m3/m2/min 154-265 m3/m2/min 275 m3/m2/min 184 m3/m2/min TiO2 Level  4% 4%  4% 4% Land Area Width 21 mil 18 mil 7 mil Not Determined

Dimension measurements were made by computer aided scanning electronmicroscopy and data processing. Open area and land area were measured asset forth in Example 3, and porosity was measuring using ASTM 737-96.Aspect ratio height and diameter was measured at set forth in U.S. Pat.No. 6,852,475. When necessary due to material variability, an averagevalue was measured over a homogenous area of the web.

EXAMPLE 3 Measure of Open Area and Land Area

The open area and land area of formed-film topsheets was measured usinglight microscopy and image analysis.

Samples 1, 2, and 10 of Example 1 were analyzed. A portion of topsheetfrom the feminine pad having an area of 2 to 5 cm² was removed withoutdamaging or deforming the structure. Areas of the topsheet with thermalbond sites were avoided. The topsheet sample was placed flat with thebody-facing surface upward on the glass stage of a stereo zoom lightmicroscope (Nikon SMZ-U). The microscope was fitted with a camera fordigital image acquisition of a 5 megapixel or greater (2560×1920 pixels)image, and the microscope magnification was adjusted so that the fieldof view to the camera was approximately 7 mm by 10 mm as shown in FIG.47.

For measurements of open area, the topsheet was backlit so that theapertures were bright and all the rest of the topsheet area is dark. Theimage was focused and the lighting was adjusted to maximize the contrastdifference between the apertured and non-apertured area as shown inFIGS. 40-42. The image was saved as a JPEG file, opened in ImageJ (NIH),and converted to 8-bit grayscale. The grayscale threshold level wasadjusted up and down to best highlight only the open, unobstructed areasand the image analysis program was used to count the highlighted pixelsdivided by total pixels to give the open area as a percent.

As shown in FIG. 40, the percent open area of a topsheet removed frominventive sample 10 was approximately 3%. As shown in FIG. 41, thepercent land area of a topsheet removed from sample 2 was approximately20%. As shown in FIG. 42, the percent land area of topsheet removed frominventive sample 1 was approximately 24%. Land area was measured usinglow-angle top lighting using a common bifurcated fiber optic illuminator(Fostec) to shine light almost parallel to the upper plane of thetopsheet surface. The light was adjusted to strike the upper surface(land area), but not go into the cones. The image was focused and thelighting was adjusted to maximize the contrast difference between thenon-apertured and apertured areas. The image was saved as a JPEG file,opened in ImageJ (NIH), and converted to 8-bit grayscale. The grayscalethreshold level was adjusted up and down to best highlight only theupper land area surface and the image analysis program was used to countthe highlighted pixels divided by total pixels to give the land area asa percent.

As shown in FIG. 43, the percent land area of a topsheet removed fromsample 10 was approximately 37%. As shown in FIG. 44, the percent landarea of a topsheet removed from sample 2 was approximately 34%. As shownin FIG. 45, the percent land area of topsheet removed from sample 1 wasapproximately 31%.

As can be seen by comparing aperture size and open area data with theinventive parameters, number and size of objects, the visual texture isnot simply bigger holes or more open area. For example, inventive sample10 has much less area (3%) than prior art sample 2 (20%).

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. An absorbent article comprising an apertured topsheet having abody-facing side and a garment-facing side, a backsheet, an absorbentcore positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a coloredarea viewable through a topsheet by a user viewing the body-facing side,the absorbent article comprising a visual texture composed of less thanabout 65 objects per cm² having an average mean area greater than about0.35 mm².
 2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the visualtexture is composed of less than about 55 objects per cm².
 3. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the visual texture is composed ofless than about 50 objects per cm².
 4. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the objects have an average mean area greater than about 0.40mm².
 5. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the objects have anaverage mean area greater than about 0.50 mm².
 6. The absorbent articleof claim 1, wherein the topsheet comprises an apertured formed film. 7.The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent articlecomprises a secondary topsheet and the colored area is provided on thesecondary topsheet.
 8. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein thetopsheet has apertures having a shape that is circular, pentagonal,hexagonal, oval, hourglass, or teardrop.
 9. An absorbent articlecomprising an apertured topsheet having a body-facing side and agarment-facing side, a backsheet, an absorbent core positioned betweenthe topsheet and the backsheet, and a colored area viewable through atopsheet by a user viewing the body-facing side, the absorbent articlecomprising a visual texture composed of less than less than about 55objects per cm² of mean area dimension greater than about 0.35 mm². 10.The absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the visual texture is composedof less than about 50 objects per cm².
 11. The absorbent article ofclaim 9, wherein the objects have an average mean area greater thanabout 0.40 mm².
 12. The absorbent article of claim 9, wherein theobjects have an average mean area greater than about 0.50 mm².
 13. Theabsorbent article of claim 9, wherein the topsheet comprises anapertured formed film.
 14. The absorbent article of claim 9, wherein theabsorbent article comprises a secondary topsheet and the colored area isprovided on the secondary topsheet.
 15. The absorbent article of claim8, wherein the topsheet has apertures having a shape that is circular,pentagonal, hexagonal, oval, hourglass, or teardrop.